Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Main God
Lord Vishnu
Timings
Check locally
Location
Tawang
Type
MAJOR
Enter through the main gate of the monastery, the second largest in Asia after Lhasa's Potala Palace. The monastery sits at over 10,000 feet. Acclimatize if you have just arrived.
Visit the three-storey main prayer hall housing an 8-metre tall gilded statue of Lord Buddha. The walls have beautiful thangka paintings and ancient manuscripts. Monks may be chanting prayers.
Visit the monastery museum with ancient artifacts, thangkas, Buddhist scriptures, and historical items. The library has rare Buddhist texts in Tibetan and other languages.
Walk around the monastery complex with views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Visit the war memorial nearby. The monastery houses around 450 monks and is an active centre of Buddhist learning.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh 790104
By Bus
APST and private buses from Tezpur (12 hours) and Guwahati (16 hours) via Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Dirang-Sela Pass. Shared Sumos (SUVs) from Tezpur and Bomdila are popular
By Air
Salonibari Airport, Tezpur (TEZ) - 330 km (9-10 hours drive). Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (GAU) - 480 km (14-16 hours drive)
By Rail
Tezpur Railway Station - 330 km. Rangapara North Junction - 350 km. No direct rail link to Tawang; road travel is essential
Local Transport
Local taxis and shared Sumos within Tawang town. The monastery is walking distance from the main market area. Local transport limited; pre-arrange vehicles
